The truly gifted appear to be created in a high-tech lab; born of the latest science and space age materials.  Everything about them is precise, creating an efficient stride that appears to flow like water.  The genetic lottery they were so fortunate to win makes even the most grueling workout look effortless.  They cover mile after mile without as much as a bead of sweat forming on their brow, while the rest of us contemplate what is worse…….death or vomit. 

I am not the truly gifted.  In fact, I might be the complete opposite.  My gangly frame and choppy stride are stark contrasts to the idealistic vision the sport places on a pedestal.  I was not created in a lab; rather, I was forged on the road by the scorching summer sun and the hammer of endless asphalt.  The genetic lottery ticket I hold is the product of two equally unathletic parents, and any perceived talent I may display is most certainly the product of hard work.  But don’t feel sorry for me, because I know that my team’s success often rests in my hands.

I am the fifth man, and I toil in obscurity among the throngs of mid-pack runners that surround me each race.  I will never make the front page of the newspaper, and I may never experience the rush of adrenaline that is the byproduct of a roaring crowd in the final 100 meters of a big race.  In fact, by the time I usually finish, most of the crowd has already left the finish line area as they scatter to congratulate the marquee names that beat me each week. 

I spend most workouts in running purgatory; suspended somewhere between greatness and failure.  Half the time I find myself closing in on my goals as I chase down our top runners, the other half is spent fending off younger and more talented teammates who are eyeing my spot.  I can empathize with these young athletes because I was once in their shoes.  But their time is not now, because the role of the 5^th man is too important to thrust upon a freshman who does not respect its importance.

Championship season is my time to shine, and the bigger the race the better.  I understand that our team’s 1-5 gap is my responsibility because accountability in the pack running philosophy happens from the back to the front. I also realize that if our top runner has a bad day we might lose a couple of points, but if I have a bad day we may be out 50-100 points depending on the size of the race.  All of this is tremendous pressure to deal with, but it’s a welcomed challenge and a burden I am willing to shoulder.  I can handle it because I spend my races in the trenches and I am battle tested in every practice.

So for all of you top runners, the next time you head out to practice be sure to thank your 5^th man.  Hold them accountable to the responsibility of their tremendously important job, and give them your unconditional support. Your trip to the state meet might just depend on it.

More on the 5^th (and 6th) Man………

Countless examples regarding the importance of the 5^th and 6^th man can be found sprinkled throughout the regular season, but there may be no better example than that of Alex Conway from Bishop Feehan.  At the MSTCA Twilight Invitational Conway was mid-pack simply doing his job.  As Feehan’s usual 6^th man, he always viewed his job as a back-up position in case something went wrong with one of the scoring runners.   99 percent of the time that is the case, but this 6th man was prepared for the one percent. 

After five runners had finished, Bishop Feehan was tied with Brookline at 35 points.  Conway would end-up being the 6^th man tiebreaker in one of the most highly anticipated races of the season; a turn of events he was prepared for, but did not expect.  The video below was taken shortly after Conway was told he had won the race for his team.